News

8th July 2025 – Field trip to High Borrowdale hay meadows

A dozen of us visited the wonderful upland High Borrowdale hay meadows along with Jan Darall, Land Manager and Policy Officer of Friends of the Lake District, the organisation who transformed sheep pastures into incredibly rich flowering hay meadows and continue to manage the area. A grazier puts sheep on the land for few weeks after the hay is cut. There is a mile or so of a walk in from the A6 road which was accompanied by scores of Ringlet and Meadow Butterflies with glimpses of two flying Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and a few Small Heaths. Sand Martins were flying above us and we had glimpses of a Grey Wagtail and a Dipper on the beck.

In spite of the challenges of land slippage on the valley sides which have threaten the field barns and the top edges of the meadows they are looking mighty fine with a striking floral display. Tree planting on the fell-sides has been less successful, mostly because of the unstable slopes and choosing Ash as a major shade tree before Ash Dieback had hit the country. We were surprised that there were actually few pollinators flying around the wonderful flowers in the meadows but were pleased to find a late season Chimney Sweeper Moth and there were plenty of Grasshoppers.

Lunch was consumed leaning against a remaining wall of the ancient farmhouse and we watched Buzzards high up above the ridges, a Goosander flew up the river and a Wheatear worked its way up a field wall.